Vincentian – Rodney ‘Chang’ Jack was named among a Caribbean Best XI, selected by Sports Max’s Editorial Team.
Jack, who represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at the senior level from 1992 to 2004, was known for his lightning speed, that left many defenders having to chase his shadow.
Bursting on to the regional scene in 1992 when still a student at the Bethel High School, Jack ripped through the Barbados defence to score all three goals for his country in a 3-2 in the Shell Caribbean Cup.
Barbadian commentators referred to him, in the aftermath, as ‘Jack the Ripper’.
On that performance, Jack was recruited by Kevin Millard to join Lambada of Barbados for some trials.This proved to be a fruitful move since from there Jack joined English Third Division Torquay United in 1995 to become the first Vincentian to play professional football in England.
Jack moved to Crewe Alexandra in the English League in 1998, and spent five years with that club, after which he had a one-year stint with Rushden & Diamonds.
Closing in on his mid-30s, Jack was recruited by Oldham Athletic, Waterford United and Southport, all between 2003 and 2008.
He relegated his professional career to a non-league team – Nantwich Town, before officially retiring in 2012.
Before his exploits in England, Jack honed his skills here in St Vincent and the Grenadines with the Rollit Coaching Clinic, the Stingers FC, various SVG age group teams, as well as with Hairoun Lions in the now defunct Caribbean Professional Football League
In being named as part of the Caribbean XI, Jack is part of a four-man midfield, which also includes Jamaicans Theodore Withmore and Fitzroy Simpson, along with Trinidadian Russell Latapy.
Opting for a 3-4-3 formation, the three strikers selected were Walter Boyd- Jamaica, and Stern John and Dwight Yorke – Trinidad and Tobago.
The three defenders are Emmerson Boyce – Barbados and the Jamaican duo of Ian Goodison and Ricardo Gardener. Shaka Hislop of Trinidad and Tobago is the goal-keeper.
The bench includes: Goalkeeper – Donavan Ricketts (Jamaica); Forwards – Deon Burton and Lindy Delapenha, both of Jamiaca; Midfielders – Peter Cargill and Robbie Earle, who are also Jamaicans.
And the defenders are Wes Morgan (Jamaica) and Jocelyn Angloma (Guadeloupe).
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